Turn off the fictional narrative—the real you in Christ is fearless and free.
Introduction: A Relatable Struggle with Fear
Recently, I was guiding a dear brother in Christ through some intrusive and recurring thoughts about death. Although he deeply believes in Christ and knows intellectually that he will go to heaven, the fear of death has continued to plague him. He described his struggle as a constant internal battle, recognizing truth in his head but feeling something very different in his heart. He expressed frustration, saying, “I keep trying to live the exchanged life [Galatians 2:20], but it’s not working.”
In compassion and love, I reminded him of a truth that has powerfully reshaped my own life: the exchanged life isn’t something we “try” to do. It’s a spiritual reality we embrace, one in which we acknowledge and rest in our true identity—our new self—in Christ. I shared an analogy that resonated deeply with him, and I hope it might encourage you as well.
The Movie Analogy: Recognizing the Fictional Condition
Imagine this scenario:
You’re sitting in your living room watching a gripping movie about a man named Morgan. Morgan is consumed with anxiety and fear because he still thinks he’s his old self—the man who hasn’t been set free by Christ, the man enslaved to the fear of death, anxiety, and insecurity. The movie is compelling, and you begin to identify deeply with Morgan’s story. You feel his fears, share in his anxieties, and find yourself caught up in his drama.
But then, you remember something crucial: Morgan isn’t real. The story you’ve been engrossed in is purely fictional, a carefully scripted drama playing on your TV screen. The anxious, fearful Morgan is not the real you; he’s a character in a story you’re watching—a narrative about someone who no longer exists.
With that realization, you reach for the remote and switch off the TV. Instantly, you’re back in your reality—the comfortable, familiar place of who you truly are: a new creation in Christ, fully alive, fully secure, and free from fear. The anxiety, dread, and turmoil disappear with the flick of a button, because that fearful person, the old self, no longer exists. The real you—the person you truly are in Christ—emerges clearly once again.
Why Do We Keep Watching the Fictional Movie?
Spiritually, this analogy speaks directly to the confusion and fear that so many believers, including my friend, often experience. Even though we are new creations in Christ, with old selves crucified, buried, and gone forever (Romans 6:6-11), we often continue to “watch” the fictional stories produced by the flesh—the residual patterns of the crucified old self. When we entertain these thoughts, we find ourselves trapped in fear and anxiety, even though those fears have no legitimate power over us.
This is precisely the reason why the Apostle Paul instructs us clearly to “set our minds on things above” (Colossians 3:2). The moment we choose to fix our minds upon Christ and what He has truly done, we metaphorically “turn off the TV”—we shut off the false narrative. We see again that these fears are mere illusions of a self that no longer exists.
The Spiritual Reality of Your New Creation Identity
You, as a believer, are not striving to become a new creation. You already are one. Your inner self—your true identity—is perfectly united with Christ (Galatians 2:20). You are spiritually seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6). You are fully and eternally secure, held forever in the loving embrace of your Heavenly Father. This truth means that the fear of death is no longer yours to carry; your new self in Christ is fearless, secure, and fully at peace.
The writer of Hebrews vividly describes this freedom Christ won for us:
“Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” (Hebrews 2:14-15)
Christ did this not merely to give us comfort when we die, but to give us freedom and security right now, in this very moment. Fear of death belongs exclusively to the old self, a self that no longer has reality or authority in our lives.
Practical Application: Moment-by-Moment Living in Reality
When intrusive thoughts and fears begin to surface, do this simple yet powerful thing: consciously remind yourself to “turn off the TV” on that fictional movie. Recognize immediately that these fears and anxieties belong entirely to the crucified old self. Then reaffirm your true identity by declaring:
“Lord Jesus, thank You that I am fully alive in You. Thank You that my old fearful self was crucified with You, and that I am a new creation, free from the fear of death. I trust You completely, resting in Your finished work.”
Do not try harder, strive, or wrestle with the fleshly thoughts—simply recognize them as the fictional story they truly are. Moment by moment, rest confidently and joyfully in your true self, the new creation who has been permanently set free in Christ.
Encouragement for You Today
Beloved, Christ’s life within you has set you free forever. The fear of death and the anxieties of the flesh are illusions that have no real claim on you. Your identity is secured in Christ’s finished work; you can rest deeply, confidently, and joyfully in Him.
The flesh’s whispers may continue, but remember—they have no true authority, no real power. Turn away from the fictional movie of fear and anxiety, and rest firmly in the reality of who you truly are: a fearless, beloved, eternally secure child of God, living victoriously through Christ’s life within.
Prayer of Gratitude and Affirmation:
Father, I thank You and praise You that I no longer need to be held captive by any fear, especially the fear of death. In Christ, You have made me fully alive, fully secure, and perfectly safe forever. I joyfully affirm the truth of my new creation identity and rest completely in Your loving presence. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for making me truly free. Amen.
Key Scriptures to Reflect Upon:
- Romans 6:6-11
- Galatians 2:20
- Colossians 3:1-4
- Hebrews 2:14-15
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
- Ephesians 2:4-6
Part 1 of 2. This article is addressed to the born again Christian (John 3:1-18).
Robert Semco is an orthodontist by profession. He also has an M.A. in Biblical Counseling and is a certified Exchanged Life Chaplain with Grace Fellowship International. He and his wife, Nancy, reside in Rhode Island.
Grace Notes © 2025 by Robert Semco. Permission is granted to reprint this article for nonprofit use. Please credit GraceNotebook.com and the author.